The Audacity of Dope

I know it’s a bit lazy to go bullet-point style, but it’s a fairly effective way to communicate, right?  Here are your weekly SNSS highlights:

• Shout to the State of the Artist (SOTA) crew and Candidt for dropping by the studio to chop it up with us.  We also world premiered a new SOTA record called “Chief Seattle.”  Yeah, you know what it’s about…
• Thanks as well to Joell Ortiz for coming by a few weeks ago when he was in town.  Peep our interview through the links below to hear updates on his Free Agent project, working with Jake One, whether or not Slaughterhouse is signing to Shady Records, and more.  YAAAAAAAAOOOOOOOOOWWWAAAAAA!
• Lastly, be sure to check out two video interviews we released in the last week: 1st with Wiz Khalifa (70k views, Wiz is a STAR) and yesterday’s with my favorite writer in the game, Shad.  Surreal to be able to connect with such dope artists left and right…we’re just happy to be able to provide a platform for ’em:
• Wiz Khalifa – https://www.theaudacityofdope.com/2010/10/20/wiz-khalifa-on-sound-session/
• Shad – https://www.theaudacityofdope.com/2010/10/25/shad-on-sound-session/

Enjoy the show!

Show #282 (10-24-10)

1. Nottz ft. Dwele – “You Need This Music”
2. Child Rebel Soldier (Pharrell, Lupe Fiasco, & Kanye West) – “Don’t Stop”
3. Freeway – “Escalators”
4. The Kid Daytona – “Fly Lullaby”
5. Kendrick Lamar ft. Jhene Aiko – “Growing Apart (To Get Closer)”
6. Wiz Khalifa – “Mezmerized”
7. Celph Titled & Buckwild – “Miss Those Days”
8. **INTERVIEW WITH STATE OF THE ARTIST, PT. 1**
9. State Of The Artist – “Chief Seattle” (**WORLD PREMIERE**) (Local Music)
10. **INTERVIEW WITH STATE OF THE ARTIST, PT. 2**
11. Cee-Lo – “Old Fashioned”
12. theFEW ft. Cilvaringz & Blue Raspberry – “Homage To RZA”
13. **INTERVIEW WITH JOELL ORTIZ #02**
14. Joell Ortiz – “Battle Cry”
15. 7L & Esoteric ft. Inspectah Deck – “12th Chamber”
16. Mayday ft. Money Making Jam Boys – “Worst Case Scenario”
17. **INTERVIEW WITH CANDIDT**
18. Candidt ft. Maya Jenkins – “Imaginary Stereo” (Local Music)
19. Common ft. Bilal – “The 6th Sense” (Throwback of the Week)
20. M.anifest – “Coming To America”
21. DJ Nphared & Grynch – “Air Max ‘Em” (Local Music)
22. La Roux ft. Kanye West – “In For The Kill (Remix)”

Link to download the mp3 of the show – http://www.mediafire.com/?qw7x36t3b821dew
(back up / streaming link – http://www.zshare.net/audio/819873988cf85373/)
(2nd back up – http://usershare.net/wywpyp5rpky8)

Link to download only the interview with Joell Ortiz – http://www.mediafire.com/?v43tdydgwml15x9
(back up / streaming link – http://www.zshare.net/audio/819879679df95f7d/)
(2nd back up – http://usershare.net/1zwf2itwan0k)

If there are any problems with the links or if you’d like to be added to our weekly email list to receive the playlist and download links after every show, just shoot me an email, DJHyphen@gmail.com.

Anyone who has visited TAOD before knows that I’m a huge fan of Shad.  Not only is he one of the most gifted MC’s around, but he’s also putting his heart and soul into his music and discussing deep, genuine emotions.  I’m not sure you can ask for anything more from an artist and I’m elated to see the United States finally starting to catch on to his music.

Fresh of the American release of TSOL, Shad came to Seattle with K-Os for the first stop on their Born To Run tour.  It’s only right that we recorded a little something for y’all, though I do apologize for the poor lighting and video quality.  Hopefully you still enjoy our discussion covering the tour, the TSOL project, how it compares to his previous work, the intricacies of his lyrics, and more.  It’s not often that I get to discuss the finer points of artistic expression/responsibility with our guests, so this was an especially fun interview to conduct.  There’s much more that can be said about the issue though, so we’ll have to rekindle it when Shad’s back in town.

In the interim, enjoy the interview and be sure to cop TSOL and The Old Prince ASAP!

[La Bamba] In the year 2000 [/Conan humor], I started working in radio at KSPC outside Los Angeles and as a college freshman, I was amazed by the freedom the indie broadcasting platform afforded me.  After looking through my personal collection, the music director was impressed and allowed me to play whatever I wanted, rather than being limited to the records in the station’s library.  As a result, my early playlists were filled with music from the Soulquarians, easily my favorite collective of artists back then…and still today.

Of all the classic albums they were involved with, perhaps the record I played the most was Bilal’s 1st Born Second.  Simply put, it’s flawless, front to back, and one of the most underrated pieces of music from the last 25 years.  If you would have told 18 year old Hyphen (who actually had a different, and horribly embarrassing nom de plume at the time) that I’d one day have Bilal co-host my radio show, I would have flipped.  Ok, I would have flipped twice: who knew I’d still be in radio 10 years later?  Shrug.

We’ve interviewed him before (peep it here), but it was a special honor to dedicate the entire episode of Sound Session this week to the genius that is Bilal Oliver.  We played nothing but Bilal records all night, mixing in a sampling of our favorite songs from all 3 of his classic albums, some b-sides, and guest appearances with his colorful and insightful commentary.  He even closed out the show with a live performance of “Levels” off his newest project, Airtight’s Revenge.

I’ll have the accompanying video up as soon as I can, but in the meantime, enjoy the audio.  Shout to Dru, JK, Hawk, Marc, and Chok for helping bring Bilal through the show.  Be sure to cop his albums if you haven’t already!

Show #281 (10-17-10)
**Co-hosted by Bilal**

1. Bilal – “For You”
2. Bilal – “Bring 2”
3. Bilal – “Cake & Eat It Too”
4. 88-Keys ft. Bilal – “M.I.L.F.”
5. Bilal – “Think It Over”
6. Bilal – “Sometimes”
7. Bilal ft. Mos Def & Common – “Reminisce”
8. Guru ft. Jay Dee & Bilal – “Certified”
9. Bilal – “All Matter”
10. Shafiq Husayn ft. Bilal – “Cheeba (Nottz Remix)”
11. Bilal – “Hollywood”
12. Bilal – “It’s Cold”
13. Bilal – “Soul Sista”
14. Bilal – “Funky For You (Interlude)”
15. Talib Kweli ft. Bilal – “Can I Talk To You (Lil’ Darlin’)”
16. Bilal – “Levels (Live On Sound Session)”

Link to download the mp3 of the show – http://www.mediafire.com/?k67xajkkqnupn8b
(back up / streaming link – http://www.zshare.net/audio/817543606bc77c35/)
(2nd back up – http://usershare.net/e7zxor62i5h0)

If there are any problems with the links or if you’d like to be added to our weekly email list to receive the playlist and download links after every show, just shoot me an email, DJHyphen@gmail.com.

I’d like to say there’s some sort of significance to episode #280 and 10/10/10, but really, it’s just another Sunday so it’s another dope batch of new music for you.  Check out this week’s episode of SNSS for tracks from Freeway, Kendrick Lamar, Nottz, Joell Ortiz, CRS, Grieves, 7L & Esoteric, and more.

Also, shout to our good friend Shad, who came to town on Friday for the first date of his “Born To Run” tour with K-Os.  Not only should you check out the show when it hits your area, but you need to cop his new album, TSOL, which finally released in the US last week.  Cop it here!

Show #280 (10-10-10)

1. Freeway – “Beautiful Music”
2. Kanye West ft. Jay-Z, Swizz Beatz, & CyHi Da Prynce – “So Appalled (Short Edit)”
3. 7L & Esoteric ft. Inspectah Deck – “12th Chamber”
4. Consequence – “Wax Museum”
5. Strong Arm Steady ft. Jelly Roll – “Make Me Feel”
6. Miami Beat Wave ft. Skyzoo & Wrekonize – “Virtue Of Success”
7. J. Cole ft. Fashawn & Omen – “Relaxation”
8. Kendrick Lamar ft. Jhene Aiko – “Growing Apart (To Get Closer)”
9. Eighty 4 Fly – “So Cool” (Local Music)
10. Slakah The BeatChild – “Things I Do For Her”
11. Chris Brown ft. Drake, T.I., Kanye West, Fabolous, Rick Ross, & Andre 3000 – “Deuces (Remix)”
12. Terrace Martin ft. U-N-I & Charlie Wilson – “Special”
13. Shad – “A Good Name”
14. Grieves ft. Grynch & Krukid – “3 Bad Men” (Local Music)
15. Bilal – “All Matter”
16. Child Rebel Soldier (Pharrell, Lupe Fiasco, & Kanye West) – “Don’t Stop”
17. Nottz ft. Black Milk – “Blast That!”
18. Kokayi ft. Alison Carney – “Hiya”
19. The Roots ft. Common – “Act Too (The Love Of My Life)” (Throwback of the Week)
20. Civil Writes – “Forgotten History” (Local Music)
21. Joell Ortiz – “Farewell Summer”
22. N.E.R.D. – “Hypnotize U”

Link to download the mp3 of the show – http://www.mediafire.com/?abgohdlxd7gq0di
(back up / streaming link – http://www.zshare.net/audio/81427804ac8e3657/)
(2nd back up – http://usershare.net/rxesdt7p5u15)

If there are any problems with the links or if you’d like to be added to our weekly email list to receive the playlist and download links after every show, just shoot me an email, DJHyphen@gmail.com.

Another week and still busy…hmm, I’m sensing a pattern.  In any event, peep this week’s edition of SNSS for tons of dope music from cats like K.R.I.T., CyHi Da Prynce, Shad, Kendrick Lamar, Hell Razah, Slakah The BeatChild, and more.  If you aren’t up on these folks, that’s the reason we do what we do.

Also be sure to stay tuned for our full interview with J. Cole (missed the first full one?  peep it here) and check out the quick footage I grabbed of Jay Electronica at Bumbershoot a few weeks ago…

Show #278 (9-26-10)

1. Big Boi ft. Andre 3000 & Sleepy Brown – “Lookin’ 4 Ya (Full Mix)”
2. Big K.R.I.T. ft. Curren$y & Wiz Khalifa – “Glass House”
3. Playboy Tre ft. Lil Jon – “Ready Go”
4. CyHi Da Prynce – “Studder”
5. Bilal – “Cake & Eat It Too”
6. Joell Ortiz – “Farewell Summer”
7. Kanye West ft. Pusha T – “Runaway”
8. Eighty 4 Fly ft. Nipsey Hussle – “Until We Bleed” (Local Music)
9. Wiz Khalifa – “Black & Yellow”
10. D. Black & B. Brown ft. J. Pinder – “Make It Brighter” (Local Music)
11. Shad ft. Von Pea and Donwill – “Rose Garden (Remix)”
12. Slakah The BeatChild – “Things I Do For Her”
13. Consequence – “Got Me Trippin’ (The Amerie Joint)”
14. Kendrick Lamar ft. Dom Kennedy & Murs – “She Needs Me (Remix)”
15. **INTERVIEW WITH J. COLE #02 (SNIPPET)**
16. J. Cole – “Villematic”
17. Language Arts – “Roll With The Winners” (Local Music)
18. Hell Razah ft. R.A. The Rugged Man – “Return Of The Renaissance”
19. Eric B. & Rakim – “Follow The Leader” (Throwback of the Week)
20. Travis Barker ft. The Cool Kids – “Jump Down”
21. Bruno Mars ft. Damian Marley – “Liquor Store Blues”
22. Chromeo – “You Make It Rough”

Link to download mp3 of the show – http://www.mediafire.com/?hy40yb4wdmbne7x
(back up / streaming link – http://www.zshare.net/audio/80873493c3a49303/)
(2nd back up – http://usershare.net/6ipivkohruef)

If there are any problems with the links or if you’d like to be added to our weekly email list to receive the playlist and download links after every show, just shoot me an email, DJHyphen@gmail.com.

Super busy reviewing a TON of resumes for that job posting I mentioned last week, so I’ll keep this week’s SNSS update to a minimum.  Having the ability to hire someone and potentially change his/her life is somewhat daunting.  No one Hyphen should have all this power.

Show #271 (8-8-10)

1. Freddie Gibbs – “National Anthem (FTW)”
2. Bun B – “Let ‘Em Know”
3. Skyzoo & Illmind – “Frisbees”
4. Mikey Rocks – “Bat Phone”
5. Ab-Soul ft. Kendrick Lamar – “Turn Me Up”
6. Slum Village ft. Posdnuos & Phife Dawg – “Scheming”
7. **INTERVIEW WITH LARUE, PT. 1**
8. LaRue – “Not Like Me” (Local Music)
9. **INTERVIEW WITH LARUE, PT. 2**
10. John Legend & The Roots – “Our Generation”
11. Mayer Hawthorne – “I Need You”
12. Nottz – “Cars”
13. Mario Dones – “Pastries”
14. Sweatshop Union ft. Geologic & Shad – “In To The Sun” (Local Music)
15. Drake ft. Jay-Z – “Light Up”
16. Mickey Factz – “Paradise”
17. Mos Def – “Hip-Hop” (Throwback of the Week)
18. Outageous & Dice – “I Love My Life” (Local Music)
19. Rick Ross ft. Cee-Lo – “Tears Of Joy”

Link to download the mp3 of the show – http://www.mediafire.com/?vr6k3i5vvdtyxnr
(back up / streaming link – http://www.zshare.net/audio/79191811939ee901/)
(2nd back up – http://usershare.net/52213y0ltjy1)

If there are any problems with the links or if you’d like to be added to our weekly email list to receive the playlist and download links after every show, just shoot me an email, DJHyphen@gmail.com.

Soon after posting up last week’s SNSS on the blog, I heard the unfortunate news that the legendary Guru passed away.  While the circumstances surrounding his coma and battle with cancer have been strange, suspicious, and possibly manipulated by his business partner Solar, enough has already been written and gossiped about on that front.  Unless some new information comes to light, I’m leaving all that to the parties involved.

What I will hold on to instead is the incredible amount of quality work that Guru left us, both as a part of Gang Starr and with his Jazzmatazz projects.  No, he wasn’t the best MC bar for bar and people seemed to either love or hate the monotone voice, but his contribution to this music and culture is one that few rappers will ever equal.  Guru didn’t just talk the talk in his rhymes: he was a living embodiment of hip-hop, both the positive and negative aspects (like all great artists).  He wasn’t a perfect man, as some in the Seattle hip-hop community can personally attest to, but ultimately, I’ll remember him for his classic records and constant effort to promote positivity in his music.

There have been plenty of great tributes to Guru already, but we wanted to pay our respect by dedicating the entire SNSS episode to him this week.  We had about 400 records we wanted to play, ranging from the early Gang Starr stuff to Jazzmatazz to guest spots and b-sides, but we just ran through them live and picked ’em along with our listeners as we went.  We also dropped in a few snippets from our last interview with Guru in 2007.  Shout to the entire Elam family, the Gang Starr Foundation, and 7 Grand Records.  Enjoy the music and RIP to Gifted Unlimited Rhymes Universal…

Show #256 (4-25-10)
RIP Guru Tribute

1. Gang Starr – “You Know My Steez”
2. Gang Starr – “Who’s Gonna Take The Weight”
3. Gang Starr – “Ex Girl To The Next Girl”
4. Gang Starr – “Work”
5. Gang Starr – “The ? Remainz”
6. Gang Starr ft. Nice & Smooth – “DWYCK”
7. Gang Starr – “Step In The Arena”
8. Gang Starr – “Conspiracy”
9. Gang Starr ft. Inspectah Deck – “Above The Clouds”
10. Gang Starr – “Just To Get A Rep”
11. Gang Starr – “Soliloquy Of Chaos”
12. Gang Starr – “Mass Appeal”
13. Gang Starr – “Full Clip”
14. Gang Starr – “JFK 2 LAX”
15. Gang Starr – “Skills”
16. Gang Starr – “Manifest (Remix)”
17. Guru ft. Jay Dee & Bilal – “Certified”
18. **INTERVIEW WITH GURU (7-24-07) (SNIPPET) #01**
19. Gang Starr ft. Big Shug & Freddie Foxxx – “The Milita”
20. Gang Starr ft. K-Ci & JoJo – “Royalty”
21. Gang Starr – “Code Of The Streets (Kenny Dope Mix)”
22. **INTERVIEW WITH GURU (7-24-07) (SNIPPET) #02**
23. Gang Starr – “In Memory Of”

Link to download the mp3 of the show – http://www.mediafire.com/?witiy2igvmz
(back up / streaming link – http://www.zshare.net/audio/754311037e24d58f/)
(2nd back up – http://usershare.net/yx88e5nfhqpk)

If there are any problems with the links or if you’d like to be added to our weekly email list to receive the playlist and download links after every show, just shoot me an email, DJHyphen@gmail.com.

“Real DJ’s don’t take requests”

That’s a line in the new J-Live (yes, new J-Live!) track that we ran this week and it definitely stood out to me the first time I heard it.  I was going to write a quick essay with my thoughts on the topic, because I can see both sides to some extent, but then I looked at the clock and realized it was 1am and I haven’t had dinner yet.

I’d love to hear your take but, um…yeah…in short, most DJ’s should take more responsibility with what they play, though not necessarily on radio where hands are often tied, just in general.  Regardless of your level of skill or the outlet you push the music through, if you’re a DJ, you’re a selector.  You have a responsibility to live and breathe the music you shine light on.  You use it to express your feelings, the same way the artists make records to express theirs.  Don’t you love it when a song says something you can’t?

Perhaps it boils down to how you view your role: are you there to appease the listener or are you there to support what you believe in?  Maybe both.  It may not be the politically correct answer, but I don’t play music for people.  I play music for the music itself.  I’m just lucky that a few people enjoy listening to my picks…and with that, another episode of SNSS for the dedicated few:

Show #255 (4-18-10)

1. Kidz In The Hall – “Grizzly Man”
2. Donnis – “Gone”
3. Big Boi – “Shutterbug”
4. J. Cole – “We On”
5. J. Pinder – “Go Far” (Local Music)
6. Vitamin D ft. The Note – “Who Dat????” (Local Music)
7. Kendrick Lamar – “The Heart, Part 1”
8. Cook ft. Tunji & Deacon The Villain – “Towards The Future”
9. Yahzarah – “Why Dontcha Call Me No More”
10. Janelle Monae ft. Big Boi – “Tightrope”
11. Erykah Badu – “Gone Baby, Don’t Be Long”
12. Pac Div ft. Ty$ – “Rollin’”
13. Drake – “Fall For Your Type”
14. Nas & Damian Marley ft. Dennis Brown – “The Promised Land”
15. Eulorhythmics – “Leavin’”
16. Little Brother ft. Chaundon – “So Cold”
17. B.o.B ft. Lupe Fiasco – “Past My Shades”
18. J-Live – “The Way That I Rhyme”
19. Dead Prez – “Mind Sex” (Throwback of the Week)
20. M64 – “In The Pocket (Grillade Remix)” (Local Music)
21. Passion Pit – “The Reeling”

Link to download the mp3 of the show – http://www.mediafire.com/?dtot2njzmoj
(back up / streaming link – http://www.zshare.net/audio/7516981535311b19/)
(2nd back up – http://usershare.net/5oaxdslkpbai)

If there are any problems with the links or if you’d like to be added to our weekly email list to receive the playlist and download links after every show, just shoot me an email, DJHyphen@gmail.com.

R.I.P. to Big Pun and the illest of all time, J Dilla.  Is there anything else that really needs to be said?

Show #245 (2-7-10)

1. Big Pun – “Dream Shatterer” (Throwback of the Week)
2. Memphis Bleek – “Still Ill”
3. Sean Price – “Figure Four”
4. Madlib & Guilty Simpson – “American Dream & Future (OJ Simpson Remix)
5. Marv Won – “The Way It Goes”
6. Emilio Rojas ft. Styles P & Asher Roth – “Bold & Arrogant (Remix)
7. B.o.B ft. Asher Roth – “F*ck The Money”
8. Kooley High ft. Median – “Solitude”
9. Nas & Damian Marley – “As We Enter”
10. Freeway & Jake One – “Throw Your Hands Up” (Local Music)
11. Consequence – “Sounds G.O.O.D. 2 Me”
12. David Banner – “Slow Down”
13. Cool-Aide (MiC K!NG & Chum) – “I’m All That 2009”
14. Chikaramanga ft. Dr. Oop – “A Life Like This”
15. D. Black ft. Fatal Lucciauno – “Special” (Local Music)
16. No Clue – “Ima Mash” (Local Music)
17. Erykah Badu – “Window Seat”
18. Raheem DeVaughn – “Ms. High Heels”
19. J Dilla – “Won’t Do” (Throwback of the Week)
20. DJ K.O. ft. East & MadKem – “Mister Senor Love Daddy”
21. C.H.A.Z.Z. – “No More Monday”
22. Nneka – “The Uncomfortable Truth”

Link to download the mp3 of the show – http://www.mediafire.com/?vjk2jmyjnny
(back up / streaming link – http://www.zshare.net/audio/72332521e668b3a3/)
(2nd back up – http://usershare.net/eeibaieki8l0)

If there are any problems with the links or if you’d like to be added to our weekly email list to receive the playlist and download links after every show, just shoot me an email, DJHyphen@gmail.com.

Yup yup, nothing but the bizness (shout to Dow, Henny, & Kuddie) this week.  Look out for the full interview with Little Dragon to be posted soon on the bloggy blogg.  Enjoy!

Show #242 (1-17-10)

1. Snoop Dogg ft. Jay-Z – “I Wanna Rock (Kings G-Mix)”
2. Lupe Fiasco – “I’m Beaming”
3. Outasight – “Don’t Say Anything”
4. Reflection Eternal ft. Jay Electronica, J. Cole, & Mos Def – “Just Begun”
5. Statik Selektah ft. Bun B, Wale, & Colin Munroe – “So Close, So Far”
6. Joell Ortiz ft. Novel – “Like I Know”
7. Self Scientific – “Designer Music”
8. Freeway & Jake One – “She Makes Me Feel Alright” (Local Music)
9. Drake – “Zone”
10. Consequence ft. Diddy, the Lox, & John Legend – “Whatever U Want (Bad Boy Remix)”
11. The Knux – “Floozy”
12. IsWhat?! – “Fanta (Arch Cupcake Remix)”
13. Fashawn – “Hard Freestyle”
14. AB ft. Slum Village – “Feels So Good”
15. CurT@!n$ – “Exodus”
16. Apathy – “I’m A Demigod”
17. Rhymefest ft. Little Brother & Darien Brockington – “How High”
18. **INTERVIEW WITH LITTLE DRAGON (SNIPPET)**
19. Little Dragon – “Runabout”
20. SOTA (State of the Artist) – “Common Senses” (Local Music)
21. Clemm Rishad ft. Adrian – “Windows” (Local Music)
22. Shaun Boothe ft. Talib Kweli – “Concepts”
23. Jay Electronica – “Exhibit C”

Link to download the mp3 of the show – http://www.mediafire.com/?tlizjjgrmdj
(back up / streaming link – http://www.zshare.net/audio/71396145e2159c42/)

If there are any problems with the links or if you’d like to be added to our weekly email list to receive the playlist and download links after every show, just shoot me an email, DJHyphen@gmail.com.